Light Guiding Member for Agitator Rotation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electrophotography-type image forming apparatuses, prolonged non-agitation of toner in developing cartridges leads to toner condensation, causing high agitation resistance and potential damage to components, and existing detection methods fail to accurately determine if the agitator is rotating normally, resulting in poor printing performance.
Innovation Solution
A developing cartridge with a light guiding member that rotates integrally with the agitator, allowing light to be guided from one side to the other, enabling detection of the agitator's normal operation by periodically guiding light outside the casing, thus determining if the agitator is rotating correctly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the gear continues to rotate regardless of agitator rotation, then the driving force is continuously supplied, but the detecting unit cannot detect the malfunction and the gear may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding member is integrated with the agitator assembly, combining the agitation function with the detection function in a single integrated component. This allows the detection of agitator rotation status without adding separate sensors or detection mechanisms, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guiding member acts as an intermediary between the agitator and the detection unit. It transmits light signals that indicate the rotation status of the agitator, enabling indirect detection of the agitator's operational state without direct mechanical coupling or complex sensing mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If the light guiding member is integrated with the agitator, then the detection accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guiding member serves multiple functions: it guides light for detection purposes and is integrated with the agitator assembly structure. This multi-functionality allows the same component to contribute to both the agitation process and the detection mechanism, improving measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution allows for accurate determination of the agitator's normal operation, preventing damage and ensuring proper printing performance by detecting light periodicity, eliminating the need for additional sensors and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The light guiding member includes a light entrance portion disposed at a position offset from a rotation shaft of the agitator and allowing entrance of light into the light guiding member, and guides the light entering from the light entrance portion to an outside of the casing
Data Source
AI summary
A developing cartridge is detachably attached to an electrophotograpy-type image forming apparatus which forms an image on a recording sheet by transferring toner onto the recording sheet. The developing cartridge includes a casing that provides a toner accommodating space for accommodating toner, and an agitator that is rotatably disposed in the casing and agitates toner accommodated in the toner accommodating space. The developing cartridge has a light guiding member that is disposed in the casing go as to be rotatable integrally with the agitator. The light guiding member includes a light entrance portion disposed at a position offset from a rotation shaft of the agitator and allowing entrance of light into the light guiding member, and guides the light entering from the light entrance portion to an outside of the casing.